CLEVELAND — Participants in this year's Blazing Paddles Paddlefest on the waters of the Cuyahoga River will have to wait due to — ironically enough — blazing heat.
Share the River, organizers of the annual kayak and paddleboard race and recreation event, announced the event originally scheduled for Saturday has been postponed "in consultation with our safety director and our medical advisory team."
"One might say our Blazing Paddles Paddlefest branding hit 'too on the nose,'" the organization joked in a social media post. " Anyone who has spent time outside knows the temps have been blazing. We are sorry to do this, but the safety of our participants and volunteers is our highest priority."
A new date and location for the event has yet to be determined, the organizers said. However, Share the River is hosting a packet and T-shirt pickup for pre-registered participants at Cleveland Metroparks' Merwin's Wharf from 4-7 p.m. Friday and 7-10 a.m. Saturday.
"Look for the red, white & blue tent! The river is open (usual traffic flow, no marine event safety zone) if you'd like to come paddle," Share the River added.
Share the River said those who prepaid for parking through the Cleveland Rowing Foundation will be refunded.
On its website, Share the River describes Blazing Paddles Paddlefest as "a celebration of Cleveland’s hardworking, scenic, and historic Cuyahoga River." It offers riders in kayaks, canoes, standups or surf skis the opportunity to race at three distances: 3.2, 6.8 and 14.2 miles. Registration for this year's event has closed and there is no same-day registration.
Northeast Ohio has dealing with oppressive heat since Monday, with the sweltering conditions expected to finally let up on Monday. A heat advisory is in effect in the region through Saturday.
